Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced that the state’s three-tier cancer care program has significantly enhanced cancer treatment outcomes, with a survival rate of 62%, surpassing the national average. The improved survival rate is credited to timely screening, early diagnosis, and prompt treatment within the state’s integrated cancer care model. CM Sarma emphasized the success of the program, highlighting the importance of timely testing and treatment in achieving the high survival rate.
The state government has initiated a comprehensive drive to screen 1.24 crore individuals for early cancer detection, aiming to reduce mortality rates through timely medical interventions. Assam currently operates 12 cancer care centers under a distributed healthcare model, with 47 lakh people already screened for various cancers. The target is to extend this screening to 1.24 crore individuals in the next phase.
Official data reveals that over one lakh CT scans have been performed in Assam’s cancer care facilities, with approximately 50,000 indoor patients receiving treatment. The state’s cancer care network has administered more than 1.56 lakh chemotherapy sessions and over 17,000 radiation therapy procedures, enhancing access to advanced cancer treatments locally.
The Assam government has been expanding its cancer care infrastructure by establishing dedicated cancer hospitals and specialized treatment centers in collaboration with healthcare institutions. CM Sarma affirmed the government’s commitment to fortifying early detection mechanisms and treatment facilities to ensure cancer patients receive quality healthcare near their residences, while also expanding screening coverage across the state.
